Building a campfire

Three children were working with the loose materials and having a conversation about what it takes to build a campfire. One of the children began to share a story of what he does to build a campfire when he goes with his family. 

First, you make a circle built out of rocks.

Next, you put the wood inside of the circle.

"How do you start a fire?"- teacher asked

"You can rub two sticks together to make a flame."-JE

"You can also put one stick in the ground and roll it in your hands."- MR

The children looked around the room for sticks that they could use to cook marshmallows.

As they continued to roast marshmallows, they began to talk about other foods that could be cooked including hamburgers and hotdogs. 

JE said, "We need a grill."

The children went to work to build a grill to put their food on.

We brought playdough over to the campfire for children to create different foods.

Flipping our food over to be cooked.

                                      

                                As the children continued to manipulate the loose parts, they began to
                                           use pieces to make cookies and other foods.

Water exploration

The children have been exploring with the water in the sensory table this week. 

Children are measuring using different sized containers and taking turns with one another. 

A lot of the children discovered bubbles in the water and compared sizes- little, big, small. 

While some children created "potions."

PW created a "tickle potion" that needs water, soap, sugar, and a little box of oil. 

PL explained how he made his recipe. "First, the water and the soap. You shake it up."

Another group of friends predicted how many scoops it would take to fill a cup.

Estimates:

MR- 10

JB- 9

PW- 18

JA- 2

Baby Care back in play, just a different way!

Before we left for our winter break the children were just finishing with the baby donations and studying about how to care for babies. During some conversations, the children started sharing how they could care for the babies in other ways.  One thought was for them to make some of the things that babies need.  They noticed that the babies needed blankets, clothes, and carrying bags.  With further discussions the children thought it would be great to sew some of these items.  Right before they left , they practiced using a needle and thread and did some basic stitches.

Today, they started using the basic stitch to sew two pieces of material together.  During this time the children noticed that when they put to material together that it could make something.   

What makes Webster Groves special?

Before break, we began to talk about places in our community and why they are special to us. We 

discussed symbols and using our drawings to represent places in the community on the map. Be sure to check out the map for some of these symbols. 

"I'm drawing Rocketship park because I play baseball there."- PW

"We go to Dewey's. We watch the pizza makers and they give us cheese in a bowl."- CS

"Weber's. I like to play games while I'm there and eat pizza."- RJ

"A festival where a horse is and paying for the rides."- MR

"The Webster Groves pool. The baby pool has a slide and it has a cup that fills and dumps on you."- JE

                                           We will continue to add more places to the map.

Be sure to check out the places added to the map. 

Fun time inside!

The Birch room has not let the cold weather get them down.  They found a lot of ways to get their wiggles out.  The climbing wall was a blast!

Off they went to the tunnel!  They crawled through with the speed of sound.

Catapult was tricky.  They had to stomp on the paddle and catch the beanbag.  It was fun! 

They moved out into the hall.  Kicking and throwing the ball into a basket was how they showed how to use all of their gross motor skills.  

Sensory experience with playdough

We took small groups to visit the kitchen this morning. The first group helped to make a new batch of playdough. We measured ingredients including salt, flour, water, oil, and cream of tartar. 

We all took a turn mixing the ingredients. 

After the playdough cooled, we used kitchen tools to create lots of different foods including cupcakes, pizzas, spaghetti, pies, and dumplings. 

There was lots of turn taking as children asked to use each other's tools.

AK asked JE, "How do you make the dumplings?" 

JE replied, "First, you roll the dough into a ball and you cut it in half. They are crazy shapes. That's how you make dumplings.These are thank you dumplings."

GOLD objectives during this experience:

-Balances needs and rights of self and others

-Uses fingers and hands

-Engages in conversations 

-Shows flexibility and inventiveness in thinking

-Demonstrates knowledge of the physical properties of objects and materials

-Counts

Problems with Technology!

Welcome back Birch Family!

I know it has only been two days of class, but I have to say, it feels like there was no break in what the children are doing in the classroom. Now as far as me, (Ms. Juanita) I am struggling with technology.  Today I was not able to get Dropbox to work for me nor adding pictures to this blog.  So I thought that I would just share with you how the day went.

The children tied the loose materials that they were using into designing the Three Little Pigs home.  This is a subject that has been big in the classroom. The children share a lot of information about homes and how they live.  They used the loose materials to create each pigs home.  They also acted out the story.  It was a very special time to see them use the materials in that matter.  Not only were they using their imaginations, but what great creativity to see how they used those materials in that manner. (the pictures will show more)

I hope to get some help from Ms. Heather to correct my mishap with the technology and to bring this blog to life with the pictures.  I am not sure what is so special about houses and how people live, but I am curiosity to see where this leads the children.

Thanks,  Ms. Juanita   Have a great weekend!